Mamas & The Papas, The Vinyl Records
One of the most important pop groups of the '60s, the Mamas & the Papas' sound was built around radiant vocal harmonies and a solid electric folk foundation, and a major part of their appeal lay in the easygoing southern California lifestyle the foursome seemingly embodied and endorsed. Their first two singles, "Monday, Monday" and "California Dreamin'," were gentle pop statements that sounded like the opening salvos in a cultural revolution, while also being calm and sweet enough to appeal to those who never thought about wearing a flower in their hair. The group's moment in the spotlight was brief, only four albums were issued during their three-year prime, but their sound was influential and lasting enough that it became emblematic of the era.